Despite torrential rain and my fear of public speaking, last evenings book talk in Brynamam Library turned out to be a most enjoyable evening.The evening started with tea and biscuits and we all settled around the table as the rain pounded the windows. I opened the talk with an insight into my writing process, from the initial idea through to the finished book. I brought some examples of my research material with included choices of weapons or poisons. This piqued everyone’s interest!Following the talk I invited my guests to ask some questions. These questions ranged from “how di you come up with the name of your main character” to “how do you get a publishing contract.”After more tea was poured the conversation turned to crime in Wales and the impact it has on small communities. In rural areas the crime rate is relatively low and the residents enjoy a sense of security. However a murder, such as one that occurred locally some 40 years was so shocking it is still talked about today, with the older residents able to recall the details and fear that surrounded the incident. Fortunately this sort of crime is rare in the area and the only murder you are likely to find is in a good book in the library.